by Woodsman » Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:56 pm
For REAL cold, look to your hi-speed outdoor stores - the ones that sell Marmot, Moonstone, TNF, ArcTeryx, etc. and get yourself a high loft parka in whatever grey/OD/black/clay/camo color you want. Also, you might try Wiggys.com - Jerry Wigetoo (probably just slaughtered his last name) is an expert in insulation and he probably has something that will work better than anything you can buy off the shelf. His sleeping bags are top notch. I own two - specifically for damn cold weather.
Personally, I have tent camped at around -17F with no external source of heat, and there are always chores to do like cooking food, putting on clothes (cold boots are real fun to put on in the A/M as is working small steel gadgets with your hands), packing gear, etc. IF you have a heated shelter you are already a GIANT step up in the game.
I have also been on landings (the areas on my job sites where logs are decked) when it has been less than -20F and the loggers have a fire going in the snow to stay warm for lunch, etc. If you are moving (walking about, etc.) you don't need much more than a couple of fleece coats and a windbreaker. If you are stationary, you better keep some of that body heat near you.
You need not bother with gore tex, because that shit is only decent for rain. Once it gets cold enough to turn precip to snow, what you need is insulation that will allow all vapor to escape. Gore tex claims to do so, but when you get moving and then stops, it keeps the sweat inside and that sucks. The best stuff out there is multiple layers of 200 weight polartec made by malden mills. I would suggest 3 of these. For an outermost layer, go windproof fleece (windstopper) or a "softshell" which is highly wind resistant.
Don't forget mittens - if it gets real cold, gloves become worthless.
Boots - Mickey mouse boots will keep your feet warm. If you don't want to go there, at least get something with a 1/2" thick felt insole and 1000g thinsulate. If you're considering danners, I wouldn't bother with any of them for serious cold except maybe their elk hunting lace to toe boots. Those would be suitable. I hear its rocky over there, so get something that has a rubber layer to protect the outsole from sharp craggy crap.
I am under the impression that Afghanistan is a dry cold since it is mountainous - probably like 12k+ in Colorado about this time of year. -10F feels like +20 here (based on my personal experiences), but cold is cold and hypothermia is a serious threat to your health, so plan accordingly!
Keep hydrated and don't make the mistake of being hungover or sipping schnapps (snowmobilers favorite seemingly)...
Good luck, go long in the weak arm and keep your head down.
Life is short. Eat, Drink & Be Merry!